Selanne seeking minutes?

Some good news for Anaheim Ducks fans awaiting word of Teemu Selanne's future plans, as he reportedly met last week with Ducks GM Bob Murray to discuss his role with the club. SI.com's Allan Muir believes Selanne could seek top-six minutes with capable linemates, including power play time. His ice time was reduced by more […]

It's looking more and more like NHL fans will have another opportunity to cheer on Teemu Selanne. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)|The Hockey News

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Some good news for Anaheim Ducks fans awaiting word of Teemu Selanne's future plans, as he reportedly met last week with Ducks GM Bob Murray to discuss his role with the club.

SI.com's Allan Muir believes Selanne could seek top-six minutes with capable linemates, including power play time. His ice time was reduced by more two minutes a game last season, so the 43-year-old winger could seek reassurances about his role before agreeing to return.

The Ducks currently have $4.3 million in cap space, meaning Selanne must also accept a pay cut from the $4.5 million he made last season. Perhaps a one-year, $3 million deal is in order.

BOYLE TALKING EXTENSION WITH SHARKS

San Jose Sharks veteran defenseman Dan Boyle could remain with the club beyond the upcoming season.

Boyle's agent, George Bazos, confirmed to Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area that he’s had contract-extension talks with Sharks management.

The 37-year-old Boyle, who has one season left on his deal worth $6.7 million, is reportedly seeking a two- or three-year extension.

Boyle's agent didn't rule out the possibility of getting a deal done before the season begins. If so, Boyle should expect a pay cut, as the Sharks are also interested in extending pending UFAs Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.

DAMIEN BRUNNER’S OPTIONS

Agent Neil Sheehy, who represents free agent forward Damien Brunner, recently told a Swiss newspaper his client is prepared to wait for as long as it takes to find the right NHL deal.

Sheehy claimed there are NHL teams interested in the 27-year-old and remains confident his client will play in the NHL this coming season.

Sheehy also dismissed speculation Brunner's salary demands are hampering efforts to find a new contract, insisting the he wants to play where he'll get the best opportunity. It's been rumored Brunner, who has only one season of NHL experience, is seeking a multi-year deal worth more than $3 million per season.

The report speculated Colorado, Anaheim, Phoenix, Dallas or Buffalo were potential destinations but the Avalanche are top-heavy at forward while the Ducks won't have room for Brunner if they sign Selanne.

Dallas and Buffalo could use depth on the right side, while Phoenix needs a top-six left winger.

HOW WILL THE RED WINGS FIX THEIR CAP PROBLEMS?

After weeks of trying to move a forward and free up some salary cap space, the Detroit Red Wings could face considering other options to accomplish that goal.

Holland also suggested he had other ways to free up room at forward and become cap compliant, though he declined to get into specifics.

Khan speculated one way could be placing ailing forward Darren Helm (back) on long-term injury reserve to open the season. Another could be demoting forward Gustav Nyquist and/or defenseman Danny DeKeyser, as they're exempt from passing through waivers.

Holland said his team is in no position to add any players, which spells bad news for free agent Dan Cleary's hopes of returning with the Wings.

CANUCKS ‘D’ STILL UP IN THE AIR

Restricted free agent defenseman Chris Tanev has received some interest from teams in Russia and Switzerland, which could provide him with leverage in his stalled contract talks with Vancouver Canucks management.

Assistant GM Laurence Gilman told the Vancouver Province the possibility of Tanev playing in Europe has no effect upon the club's negotiations with the blueliner.

Gilman also confirmed the Canucks wish to add another NHL-caliber blueliner, claiming that wouldn't affect Tanev's contract talks, either. Still, their limited cap space could make it difficult to re-sign Tanev and add another D-man.

The Canucks reportedly have interest in free agent Douglas Murray, who would provide a physical boost.

Murray's agent told the Province he's had talks with the Canucks “off and on” throughout the summer, though they're currently not close to a deal.

The 33-year-old blueliner is coming off a four-year, $10 million contract but won't get anything close to that this summer. If Murray wants a multi-year deal from the Canucks (or anyone else), he'll have to accept a pay cut.

Rumor Roundup appears weekdays only on thehockeynews.com. Lyle Richardson has been an NHL commentator since 1998 on his website, spectorshockey.net, and is a contributing writer for Eishockey News and The Guardian (P.E.I.).

For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.

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About the Author

Lyle Richardson

Lyle Richardson is a contributing writer to THN. His Rumor Roundup has been a regular feature since 2007. He also runs the website spectorshockey.net. A Canadiens fan married to a Leafs fan, Lyle's Saturday nights during hockey season can get quite entertaining at his home.